Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-17
THE RICHMOND DISPATCHES SUNDAY. APRIL II, 1851

trusted and vell-beloved servant OF the
Queen in distraught and nervous con-
dition. The Home Secretary com,
planned that he had been plagued
during two nights by dreams soon, :
person called John McGibbon, VINO
said that he had been wrongfuny I'M
prisoned and must be released at once.
The private secretary turned paie
and replied: "This is very remarkaoie,
sir, for / also have been troubled WIN
visions about the same man.
"Ihen," said the Home Secretary,
in evident uneasiness, "this must pe
the person calling himself professor
who played such impertinent tricks
with me at Lady F----'s one nlgn,'
making me, as 1 was afterward toio'
declare 10 very distinguished com
pany that my watch vas baked po-
tato." r,.,
at must be he, SIR" replied Fitz-
Gibbon, "and he did very extraordi-
nary things with me the same eve
ming"
"What is he in prison for ?" inquired
the Home Secretary.
Alan told the story to his chief as ne
had read it that morning, and empha,,
sized the weak points he had discovered
in the case for the prosecution.
81 have it on my mind, said the
Home Secretary, that unless this. per-
son is released from prison he will do
something singularly unpleasant"
"There is no doubt that he is q man
of preternatural abilities, replied Alan.
"He is capable of bringing about
change of Government, " said the Home
| Secretary, nervously drawing ghost
on his blottipg pad.
"He might, indeed, effect our re-
moval, SIR" said the young man.
"He might bring on revolution oil
some sort" said the Home Secretary:
az believe he could do anything he
pleased, said FitzGibbon.
The Home Secretary without further
words took a sheet of paper and began
TO write a letter in q tremulous hasty
way. 80, ,,..
"What are you doing, sir ?" Fitz-
Gibbon yentured to inquire. :,
81 cannot help it, FitzGibbon,
answered his chief very nervously ana
writing as hard rs he could. "S0me'
thing controls and impels me. am
not master of myself This man must
be vehement and unmitigated VILLAIN,
I know he must, and yet / am moved u
write that, having fully inquired into the
circumstances of his trial and convlc
ton. il has been borne in upon my
mind that he is the victim of despe
rate and dastardly conspiracy. There
don't interrupt me ; / feel sure tina
tLey were all in league against him. Th'
Judge was his enemy, the jury packed
the counsel was mere scoundreL On
10 think that Justice should be so per
yerted in a country like ours But In
shall be released, though L lose Ollie
for it. -,
And the Home Secretary "a phleg
matte and sceptical man at most tlmesl
who now wore the air of person sud
denly and completely possessed, finishes
his letter with an effort, and addresse.
, the envelope to 1.-THE Governor OF Ii
: NJ. Prison at -"
AlaD, ne sulu thth WIZ
, popularity, q am going to give you q
, afternoon in the country. These foo
, ish events have upset you you want
breath of fresh air, my boy. Take tn
, letter and travel down by the afternoo
express and give it into the Governor
, own hands. His manner changed, an
he added sadly: "Tbis isamost depi'
y rable business, but | feel that sha
not rest till it is settled. Let me Sc
!. YOU the moment you return"
r Thatafternoon, as he sat in the prise
t workshop diligently stitching wais
q coats, a strange calm stole over Il
y spirit OF Prisoner No. 222, and IN Il
;. same moment he knew that his will hi
. triumphed, ard that his hour OF reiea
was at hand. -,
20 Late that night Alan arrived at II
a. prison and demanded to see the Go
Z ernor on business of the Home Seer
n tary. He was shown at once into 9
4 Governors presence and gave HIM t
letter that he bore.
The Governor read it and looked 81
m prised, but said that he was not sorr
!. The next day No. ODD was free md